Get GOing with GO Rentals for an easy Dunedin to Wellington car rental! Explore stunning locations across the South Island with our top-notch vehicles and make your journey truly unforgettable. We have a wide array of quality vehicles fit for long road trips, from SUVs to minibuses. With basic insurance coverage and unlimited kilometres, you can steer towards adventure with GO Rentals.
Choosing a GO Rentals one-way car hire from Dunedin to Wellington lets you experience absolute Kiwi freedom on the road. Start your adventure at our Dunedin Airport branch and explore the breathtaking scenery of the South Island with flexible car rental options. So, why wait? GO grab the wheel and discover the beauty of New Zealand with GO Rentals!
FREE basic car rental insurance
Our basic insurance cover is included in the cost of every car hire with two upgraded insurance options available!
One-way car rentals
We can organise one-way rentals with pick-up in one location and drop-off in another. Stick to your dream itinerary without worrying about circling back.
Offset carbon emissions
In partnership with CarbonClick, you can choose to offset the carbon emission of your GO Rentals road trip.
24hr AA roadside assistance
All GO Rentals hire cars have access to the AA 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance and our Tesla EVs have access to Tesla Roadside Assistance.
GO App
With our GO Rentals App, you can book a car, check in faster and even control your Tesla car functions, right from the palm of your hand.
Whether you're looking for an affordable rental car or the most convenient location, booking vehicles with GO Rentals is quick and easy. Enter travel details, including your pick-up date and drop-off location, into our booking form and click “Find My Car” to get started.
We offer one-way rentals at all nine locations across the North and South Islands. From Dunedin Airport to Wellington and beyond, planning your New Zealand adventure is simple with our built-in convenience.
Depending on availability at your chosen car rental location, a one-way fee may apply, ranging from $100 to $1,000. The cost will be outlined in your booking summary before you check out, so there are no hidden charges. Additionally, the minimum hire period is 1 to 7 days, depending on how far you travel between pick-up and drop-off points.
Vehicle availability can fluctuate depending on the season and demand, but we can often arrange additional vehicles by moving them between branches. If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for online, call us, and we’ll do our best to assist you with your one-way car hire.
At GO Rentals, we guarantee flexible options, great value, and the freedom to explore your way.
You can take any GO Rentals vehicle on the Cook Strait Ferry between the North and South Island, which is perfect for a stress-free one-way road trip. We have 9 car rental branches spread evenly throughout New Zealand, in the major destinations. You’re never far from a GO Rentals car.
Get your journey started as quickly as possible thanks to our speedy check-in. Manage your booking online or download our app to get through the check-in process and on the road faster.
GO Rentals is here to do more than just get you from A to B. With our interactive trip planner and extensive travel blog for inspiration, your hired car is the perfect companion for an incredible trip across the South Islands. Here are some unforgettable stops and hidden gems as you make your way to Wellington.
Dunedin is famous for its unique wildlife, distinct architecture and stunning scenery across the entire city. Educate yourself on the history of the region at the Otago Museum, or hop on a cruise to see the local fauna. Be sure to visit New Zealand's only castle before you leave! Larnach Castle was built in 1871 and has become a mainstay of the region ever since.
This rugged landscape is part of a gigantic, now-extinct volcano, and offers simply stunning coastal drives and picture-perfect views. For animal lovers, you can encounter the yellow-eyed penguin, also known as the hoiho, and the blue penguin. The world's only mainland albatross colony can be found on the northern edge of the peninsula at the Royal Albatross Centre.
Not to be confused with the North Island Town! Palmerston is a charming town that is perfect for a quick stop while you make your way to Wellington. Stretch your legs from the long drive by visiting the town’s main Landmark, Puketapu, also called the sacred hill. On top of outstanding walking tracks and trout fishing in the Shag River, you can also visit a colony of fur seals 5 minutes drive from town.
Oamaru is the largest town in the Waitaki District and a true hidden gem of the South Island. Not only can you find incredible limestone architecture across town, but you can also visit the local cheese factory, encounter blue penguins, experience mythology at the Moeraki Boulders, and more. Notably, Oamaru is home to the quirky Steampunk HQ Museum and hosts the Steampunk New Zealand Festival on the Queen's Birthday weekend each year.
South Island's largest city is home to incredible parks, restaurants and boating areas. Sometimes known as the ‘Garden City’, one of Christchurch's most famous tourist spots is the Botanical Gardens, containing over 21 hectares of native and exotic plants, including award-winning exhibits and galleries. Since recovering from the 2011 earthquakes, Christchurch has proudly shown its resilient spirit in locations like the Riverside Market and the Cardboard Cathedral.
Also known as Lavendyl, the Kaikoura Lavender Farm is your chance to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a scented paradise. Enjoy a tour of the farm's 2.5-hectare fields, learn more about how sustainable lavender farming is done, and sit down for a lovely evening tea. The farm also features a gift shop with hand-crafted soaps, essential oils and even delicious lavender honey.
This breathtaking alpine village is a little off the beaten path but is well worth the journey. The village is most famous for the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, featuring spa treatments by expert staff and mineral-rich thermal pools for you to relax and rejuvenate in. Hanmer Springs is also a great spot for stargazing and nature hikes. For family-friendly thrills, you can even find two waterslides in the spa, the Conical Thrill and the Superbowl.
The Waipara region is a hub of incredible wineries and tourist attractions. Whether you’re looking to try signature New Zealand wines like high-quality Riesling or Pinot Noir, or you want to take your mind off driving with a stunning nature walk, you’ll find the perfect spot in Waipara. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, check to see if the Weka Pass Railway is running to enjoy a beautiful countryside train ride.
Blenheim is your gateway into the Marlborough wine region, featuring some of the nation’s biggest and most renowned wineries and a unique reputation for quality Sauvignon Blanc. Blenheim is also home to a historic clock tower, the extensive 1100 hectares of Wither Hills Farm Park and an incredible collection of World War I and II fighter planes at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
The Marlborough Sounds are an ancient sunken river valley surrounded by four different sounds: Kenepuru, Pelorus, Queen Charlotte and Mahau. The sunken lands make up over one-fifth of New Zealand's coastline and are perfect for explorers and nature lovers. Charter your own boat or book guided tours and experience one of the most unique destinations in the world.
If you want to ensure you’ve explored every inch of the Sounds, be sure to book a boat or helicopter tour beforehand, as some areas are only accessible by boat or air.
Before you head off on the Picton Ferry, it’s worth taking a quick visit to Havelock while you’re in the area. Sometimes known as ‘the mussel capital of New Zealand’, Havelock is the perfect stop for seafood fanatics and ocean lovers. Havelock was also a major filming location for ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ in Peter Jackson's Hobbit Trilogy.
You’ll be getting the ferry from the South Island to the North Island in Picton, but be sure not to leave until you’ve experienced everything this charming port town has to offer! Picton is a fantastic place to stay for a night or two and enjoy wildlife cruises, kayaking tours and hiking paths. History lovers won’t regret stopping by the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum to learn more about the oldest merchant ship left in the world.
Be sure to stop by this little-known gem just as you hit the North Island. The Putangirua Pinnacles are a set of earth pillars formed by long-term rock erosion, creating a striking and dramatic valley. Tolkien fans may recognise the area as the Path of the Dead in the Return of the King movie. Take a chance to stretch your legs from the ferry journey and experience the Pinnacles on a 3-4 hour walk through the eerie landscape.
Your journey ends in the capital city of New Zealand. Wellington has plenty of wonderful places to see and activities to experience, and it’s well worth spending a day or more just exploring the city. Visit the Te Papa Museum to learn more about the history of the region, take a tranquil trip on the Wellington Cable Car or explore local wildlife at the Zealandia Ecosanctuary.
We love that our stress-free rental cars do more than get you from A to B. They become part of your travel memories, and we want to see them!
Submit a happy photo to our Snap Happy Photo Competition and be in with a chance to receive up to $500 back off your booking!
New Zealand is best explored in a modern, reliable car. But don't take our word for it. Cruise through the happy customers revv'd up about their experience:
Normally, you have a great view of the Lanarch Castle, but on this morning, it was super foggy, which made it an incredible atmosphere. Due to that atmosphere, we felt it was the perfect spot for our reliable travel partner! :)
Stopped at Moeraki Beaches to enjoy the stunning seashore between Christchurch and Dunedin. Just one of many amazing sights seen on our marvellous tour of NZ in our lovely GO Rentals car.
Before leaving my son to study abroad in Christchurch, we drove to Picton and did some sea kayaking. What an amazing adventure! Thankfully, we had a reliable car to help us get to our adventures.
This photo was taken in Wellington. We were playfully trying to show how windy it gets there. One kick and everyone goes flying! We had a great experience with GO Rentals, thanks to excellent service. The pickup process was smooth and quick. We got the perfect car for our needs. We'll definitely rent again.
With a great selection of affordable vehicles, GO Rentals is ready to get you on the road for a one-way trip. Choose from 4-wheel drives and SUVs for ski or family trips to luxury electric vehicles for a stylish self-drive trip. Put your itinerary details in to see our vehicle availability and start planning your GO trip.
Dunedin: Traffic is generally light, with occasional peak-hour congestion. Parking includes street parking and several paid facilities, costing around $1 to $3.50 per hour. Free parking is more available than it is in Wellington, especially in suburban areas and some shopping centres. For details, visit the Dunedin City Council.
Wellington: Traffic across Wellington can get very busy, especially during congested peak hours. Street parking and paid facilities are available for $4 to $5 per hour on weekdays, and $3 on weekends. Free parking is rare but can be found in the outer districts or residential areas. For further details, visit Wellington City Council.
New Zealand has only three toll roads, all on the North Island. You won’t need to worry about any of them as you make your way to Wellington. The roads across New Zealand are usually well-maintained and have clear signage. Speed limits are 50km/h in urban areas and reach 100 km/h on open roads.
Worried about hitting a toll road? With GO Rentals’ mandatory $3/day Total Road Care package, you can enjoy free passage on all toll roads. We'll cover all your toll road fees, including government and admin costs.
For more info, read our guide on New Zealand's toll roads.
We regularly update our relocation deals to help you save on one-way road trips. Check out our latest relocation deals to see if your itinerary matches our deal. Save money and still access our award-winning customer service.
